Spindle whirl cleaner

ABSTRACT

A spindle whirl cleaner for removing underwindings from spindle assemblies of textile yarn processing machines, such as spinning frames, is disclosed to comprise a wheeled stool holding a vacuum cleaner therebeneath with a flexible vacuum hose extending therefrom terminating in a nozzle which has a mouth opening of substantially rectangular cross-section and arcuately ended side walls, and a member formed of an abrasive, non-metallic material fixed to a wall joining said side walls such that it intrudes into the nozzle mouth opening.

United States Patent Savageau et 31.

Oct. 21, 1975 1 l SPINDLE WHlRL CLEANER [75] Inventors: Richard .I. Savageau, Seneca; Earl C. Clevenger; Gordon C. Anderson. both of Clemson. all of SC.

[73} Assignee: Saw-Lowell Corporation, Easley.

[22] Filed: Sept. 10. 1973 121] App]. No: 395,889

[441 Published under the Trial Voluntary Protest Program on January 28. 1975 as document no. 8 395,889.

[52] US. Cl. 28/19; 15/323; 15/415; 51/273; 57/34 R [51] Int. Cl. D030 45/58 [58] Field of Search 28/19; 15/323.415; 51/273; 57/34 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.176.163 10/1939 Zimmerman 51/273 X 2.367.437 1/1945 Salt 15/323 2.744.286 5/1956 Carpenter et a1... 15/415 X 3.126.021 3/1964 May i 1 51/273 X 3.426.518 2/1969 Winter et a1 28/19 X 3.579.761 5/1971 Vaughn et al. 28/19 Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Allorney. Agent. or FirmDonald H. Feldman [57] ABSTRACT 25 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheetlof2 3,913,190

| I l g U.S. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,913,190

SPINDLE WHIRL {,LEANER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a spindle whirl cleaner for the efficacious removal of underwound wraps of yarn from the spindle assemblies of a textile yarn processing machine, and particularly relates to such a cleaner which employs vacuum and a non-metallic member to abrade such wraps and remove the yarn so dislodged, and most particularly relates to a cleaner nozzle containing such a member.

The art has long recognized the need to remove yarn underwindings" as such wraps are known, which in time accumulate on the spindle assemblies and prevent proper yarn processing by such machines, such as spin ning frames. Attempts to provide a suitable cleaner have been frought with many problems. For many years, sharp metal implements were employed; however, unless great care was used, the operator may eas 7 ily cut himself as well as the undcrwindings and/or damage the spindle whirl or other parts of the spindle assembly. Other implements, such as wire brushes or the like have also been employed; however, all of such manual implements did not solve the problem of extreme tedium in the incessant bending and stooping required to remove underwindings from the hundreds of spindles per machine and the dozens of machines in a textile processing mill. Further, no provision was made to avoid discharge of the cut fibers into the atmosphere, which discharge forming a lint laden environment has been shown to be a health hazard leading to brown lung disease, other respiratory ailments and even cancer. The most recent design attempts employ ing such implements have been disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,263,407 and 3,312,051 and 3,426,518 and 3,631,663.

With this recognition, Plonsker ct al in their US. Pat. No. 3,579,761 entitled "Apparatus for Yarn Removal" employed a vacuum device which was supported by wheels to run along the spindle rail of a yarn processing machine. This device had a fixed vacuum nozzle and a metal abrasion wheel centered in the nozzle mouth for abrasive removal of the underwindings and vacuum collection of the fibers thus removed. ln order to apply the wheel to the spindle whirl, the device had to be tilted toward the spindle. Experience with this device, however, has shown that certain problems still existed and new problems were developed. While the tedium of bending and stooping involved with simple manual implements appeared to be obviated, the device required some strength to be tilted toward and against the spindle, while great care had to be employed not to exert excessive pressure against the spindle assembly to avoid bending it; also, the device had to be carried from one spinning machine to the next which required some strength; further, since the device employed a wheel which rotated with the spindle, it was observed that not all of the underwindings were removed from the spindles; yet further, since the wheel was centered within the vacuum nozzle mouth, it was also observed that fi bers removed from the wheel were not completely vac uumed away but always a certain portion were dis charged into the atmosphere.

Thus, it is to the assuage of the foregoing problems that this invention is directed, such being a major object of this invention.

Other desirable objects of the invention shall become apparent from and/or are inherent in the following dc scriptions and explanations thereof,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have found that the foregoing problems are solved by providing a spindle whirl cleaner in the form of a wheeled stool which contains a vacuum cleaner and a flexible hose extending therefrom terminating in a nozzle which has a mouth portion of substantially retangular crosssection onc Internal wall thereof having fixed thereto a member formed of a nommetallic abrasive material. The mouth portion also has two other walls which terminate with arcuate ends so as to receive therebetween the spindle whirl and its underwindings wrapped thereabout. In operation. the operator seated upon the stool wheels himself before the appropriate spindle assembly, embraces the spindle whirl and its underwindings with the nozzle, and applies the abrasive member against the wraps of yarn on the rotating spindle whirl in such manner that spindle rotation is from the member toward the arcuate portions of the nozzle mouth. in this manner, dislodged fibers are thrown towards the arcuate portions of the mouth into which air is being drawn by the vacuum cleaner. When only little yarn is left on the whirl, these last wraps are abraded free and withdrawn by vacuum, and some small portion of the member is worn away by the whirl as small particules which also are removed by vacuum, preventing discharge into the atmosphere, In order to provide a long, useful life to the noz7le, the arcuate portions proximal the mouth may be formed of a wear resistant plastic material, which may be replaceable.

THE DRAWINGS The nature of the invention may be better understood through these explanations when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1, partially fragmented and in section, shows a side elevation of the present wheeled stool device with the nozzle enlarged;

FIG. 2, in section, shows the nozzle embodiment of FIG. I with the spindle whirl abutted by the nonmetallic abrasive member thereof; and

FIG. 3, also in section, shows another embodiment of the nozzle of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, the present cleaner is shown to comprise a wheeled stool, generally designated 10, having a flexible vacuum hose 12 extending therefrom and fixed to the outside of a housing 14 which extends between a plurality of wheels 16 and a seat 26. Mounted within housing 14 is a cylindrical screen 18 for the collection of dislodged fibers on its outer surfaces, which screen 18 encloses the openings of the inlet 20 of a vacuum pump P which, in turn, is operatively connected to a motor M therefor which is mounted under seat 26. Motor M has mounted at its top a deflector plate 24 to deflect exhaust air, coming from pump P and through motor M, away from stool It). Portion 28 of housing 14 is in the form of a pluality of braces which support seat 26 and to which the latter is bolted.

Flexible tube 12 is shown to be interconnectable at its other end with a cleaner nozzle, generally designatcd 30, at one end 32 of the body portion thereof. This body portion, as one proceeds toward the other end of the nozzle. has progressively flattening sides 34 until the cross-section becomes one of a substantially elongate rectangle as taken along line 35, proximal the nozzle mouth. Although end 32 is shown to be of sub stantiaily circular cross-section, it may be of another shape, such as square or rectangular, so that it is interconnectahle with the hose tube of the cleaner. The aforesaid rectangular cross-section is formed by oppos ing side walls 36 having arcuate end surfaces 37 and two joining side walls (unnumbered). ln this preferred embodiment. opposing walls 36, proximal the nozzle mouth opening, have fixed thereto in an attachable and detachable manner as a portion thereof a part 38 formed from a non-metallic, wear resistant material. such as a wear resistant plastic such as high density polypropylene or the like. it will readily be appreciated that such parts encountering the rotating spindle whirl have a protective effect against the wear of metal portions of side walls 36, and upon their own wear may be replaced. it will further be appreciated that the entire nozzle body portion and its side walls may be made of such a non-metallic material, Easy attachment and detachment of parts 38 may be made through screws 40. in instances where the entire nozzle is formed of a nonmetallic material, for certain purposes use of parts 38 may not be needed. Attached or fixed to one of said joining walls is a member 42 formed of an abrasive, non-metallic material. Such attachment may be adjustable respecting intrusion of member 42 into the mouth opening and/or protrusion outwardly from such open ing by means of screw 44. Such joining wall may have at its terminal end a lip (at about the position of numeral 36) for retention of block 42 within the mouth opening by abutment thereagainst.

1n the same embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the body portion 132 is shown to be formed of metal, with a cir cular cross-section flattening progressively at area 134 to an elongate rectangular cross-section taken along line 135 proximal the mouth opening of the nozzle. In this figure, the joining wall 136 is more clearly shown to which the member 142 formed of an abrasive, nonmetallic material is adjustably fixed by a screw 144 and a terminal retaining lip (unnumbered) ofwall 136. Also shown are the non-metallic, wear resistant parts 138 of the opposing side walls, attachable and detachable thereto by means of screws 140. Further, one sees the whirl portion 146 in abutment with member 142 for removal therefrom of underwindings (not shown), and the arcuate outer surface 139 adjacent the whirl flange 148.

In the second embodiment, shown in P10. 3, the body portion 232 of the nozzle is progressively flattened in cross-section along areas 234 until an elongate rectangle is achieved as along line 235 proximal the mouth opening of the nozzle. The opposing side walls of this nozzle terminate at the mouth opening with arcuate ends 237 so as to receive a rotating spindle whirl 246 therebetween. Fixed to one of the side walls joining the opposing walls, in an adjustable manner by means of an encircling strap type holder 236 and a spring 254 hiased ridged wheel 252, is a rod of abrasive, nonmetallic material having a rectangular crosssection, said rod being designated as 242.

OPERATION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE lNVENTlON In operation, referring to F165. 1 and 2, currents of air shown by arrows and induced by pump P pass around whirl 146 as it is being abraded to remove underwindings thereabout and enter the nozzle mouth of substantially rectangular crosssection, sweeping with them fibers and yarn fragments and dislodged particles from members 42,142. The air currents sweep such debris through body portion 132 of the nozzle past inter connecting portion 32 thereof, through flexible hose l2 and into waste cavity W within housing 14. There the debris is thrown or drawn against the outer surfaces of screen 18 if light, or falls to the bottom of cavity W if heavy. Air currents filtered by screen 18 then pass through the inlet openings of inlet 20 of pump P and are exhausted through the center of motor M and de flected by plate 24 to pass into the atmosphere.

Our experience has shown that the cleaner of the present invention obviates bending or stooping of an operator, who seated thereupon merely wheels from spindle assembly to the next, that the present nozzle ef fectively removes all underwindings quickly and without damage to the spindle assemblies, and collects vertually all debris removed, because, we believe, of the unique rectangular cross-section and arcuate side walls of the nozzles mouth opening which provide for a max imum effective flow of air past the spindle whirl, and because of our use of an abrasive, non-metallic element positioned proximal the nozzle mouth. Numerous types of such abrasive, non-metallic materials may be employed, the particular type being chosen being dependent upon such factors as the type of materials comprising the underwindings. For example, we have found that for cotton yarn underwindings the abrasive member should be formed of some material such as asbestoes board or an epoxy-glass laminate, whereas for continuous filamentous materials made of synthetic thermoplastic polymers even a hard rubber material is satisfactory.

Having thus described the principles of the invention and preferred embodiments thereof, and its operation, one skilled in the art from the foregoing may readily think of variations in construction, contours and elements and materials of construction which fall within the purview of its definition as set forth in the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. in a spindle whirl cleaner for the removal of underwound wraps of yarn from a rotating spindle assembly of a textile yarn processing machine, comprising in combination, a wheeled stool with a seat at its top and wheels at its bottom, a housing fixed therebetween containing a motor interconnected with a power source therefor, a vacuum air pump operatively interconnected with said motor for operation thereof, a yarn collection screen enclosing the air inlet of said pump and a flexible hose fixed externally to said housing and operatively associated with the external surfaces ofsaid screen and said pump inlet, and a vacuum air inlet nozzle for said removal, the improvement comprising:

a vacuum air inlet nozzle interconnectable at one end to said hose, said nozzle having a substantially rectangular cross-section at its other end which forms a mouth opening, said other end being formed with flat opposing side walls having arcuate ends to receive therein said rotating spindle whirl, and said opposing walls being joined by a side wall having fixed thereto, adjacent said mouth opening, a member formed of an abrasive, non-metallic material for abutment with said yarn wraps and whirl.

2. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said member is adjustably fixed to said joining wall.

3. A cleaner as in claim 2, wherein said member is adjustable by means of a screw.

4. A cleaner as in claim 2, wherein said member is adjustable by means of a spring biased wheel.

5. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said member is detachably and reattachably fixed to said joining wall.

6. A cleaner as in claim I, wherein said member is in the form of a rectangular block of abrasive. nonmetallic material.

7. A cleaner as in claim I, wherein said member is in the form of a rectangular rod of abrasive, non-metallic material.

8. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein saidjoining side wall terminates in a retaining lip for retaining said member thereagainst.

9. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said opposing side walls are formed at least in part of a wear resistant, non-metallic material.

10. A cleaner as in claim 9, wherein said non-metallic parts of said side walls are detachably and reattachably fixed thereto.

ll. A cleaner as in claim 9, wherein said non-metallic parts of said side walls are formed of a wear resistant plastic material.

12. A vacuum nozzle for the removal of underwound wraps of yarn from a rotating spindle assembly ofa textile yarn processing machine, being interconnectable at one end to an inlet hose of a vacuum cleaner, said nozzle comprising:

a body portion having one end for interconnection with said hose and being formed at the other end with an open mouth of substantially rectangular cross-section for receiving therein a rotating member of said spindle assembly containing said yarn wraps,

said mouth end being formed with opposing side walls having arcuate ends to receive said rotating member and a joining wall therebetween having fixed thereto a member formed of a non-metallic, abrasive material for abutment with said rotating member.

13. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is fixed interior said mouth to said joining wall.

14. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is fixed to the exterior of said joining wall.

15. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is adjustably fixed to said joining wall for intrusion into said mouth opening.

16. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is adjustably fixed to said joining wall for protrusion outwardly from said mouth opening.

17. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is detachably and reattachably fixed to said joining wall.

18. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is in the form of a rectangular block of nonmetallic material.

19. A nozzle as in claim l2, wherein said abrasive member is in the form of a rectangular cross-section rod of non-metallic material.

20. A nozzle as in claim l2, wherein said abrasive member is fixed to said joining wall by a screw.

21. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is fixed to said joining wall by a spring biased wheel.

22. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said joining side wall terminates in a retaining lip for retaining said abrasive member thereagainst.

23. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said opposing side walls are formed at least in part ofa wear resistant, non-metallic material.

24. A nozzle as in claim 23, wherein said nonmetallic parts of said side walls are detachably and reattachably fixed to said side walls.

25. A nozzle as in claim 23, wherein said nonmetallic parts of said side walls are formed ofa wear resistant plastic material. 

1. In a spindle whirl cleaner for the removal of underwound wraps of yarn from a rotating spindle assembly of a textile yarn processing machine, comprising in combination, a wheeled stool with a seat at its top and wheels at its bottom, a housing fixed therebetween containing a motor interconnected with a power source therefor, a vacuum air pump operatively interconnected with said motor for operation thereof, a yarn collection screen enclosing the air inlet of said pump and a flexible hose fixed externally to said housing and operatively associated with the external surfaces of said scrreen and said pump inlet, and a vacuum air inlet nozzle for said removal,, the improvement comprising: a vacuum air inlet nozzle interconnectable at one end to said hose, said nozzle having a substantially rectangular crosssection at its other end which forms a mouth opening, said other end being formed with flat opposing side walls having arcuate ends to receive therein said rotating spindle whirl, and said opposing walls being joined by a side wall having fixed thereto, adjacent said mouth opening, a member formed of an abrasive, non-metallic material for abutment with said yarn wraps and whirl.
 2. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said member is adjustably fixed to said joining wall.
 3. A cleaner as in claim 2, wherein said member is adjustable by means of a screw.
 4. A cleaner as in claim 2, wherein said member is adjustable by means of a spring biased wheel.
 5. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said member is detachably and reattachably fixed to said joining wall.
 6. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said member is in the form of a rectangular block of abrasive, non-metallic material.
 7. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said member is in the form of a rectangular rod of abrasive, non-metallic material.
 8. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said joining side wall terminates in a retaining lip for retaining said member thereagainst.
 9. A cleaner as in claim 1, wherein said opposing side walls are formed at least in part of a wear resistant, non-metallic material.
 10. A cleaner as in claim 9, wherein said non-metallic parts of said side walls are detachably and reattachably fixed thereto
 11. A cleaner as in claim 9, wherein said non-metallic parts of said side walls are formed of a wear resistant plastic material.
 12. A vacuum nozzle for the removal of underwound wraps of yarn from a rotating spindle assembly of a textile yarn processing machine, being interconnectable at one end to an inlet hose of a vacuum cleaner, said nozzle comprising: a body portion having one end for interconnection with said hose and being formed at the other end with an open mouth of substantially rectangular cross-section for receiving therein a rotating member of said spindle assembly containing said yarn wraps, said mouth end being formed with opposing side walls having arcuate ends to receive said rotating member and a joining wall therebetween having fixed thereto a member formed of a non-metallic, abrasive material for abutment with said rotating member.
 13. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is fixed interior said mouth to said joining wall.
 14. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is fixed to the exterior of said joining wall.
 15. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is adjustably fixed to said joining wall for intrusion into said mouth opening.
 16. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is adjustably fixed to said joining wall for protrusion outwardly from said mouth opening.
 17. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is detachably and reattachably fixed to said joining wall.
 18. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is in the form of a rectangular block of non-metallic material.
 19. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is in the form of a rectangular cross-section rod of non-metallic material.
 20. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is fixed to said joining wall by a screw.
 21. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said abrasive member is fixed to said joining wall by a spring biased wheel.
 22. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said joining side wall terminates in a retaining lip for retaining said abrasive member thereagainst.
 23. A nozzle as in claim 12, wherein said opposing side walls are formed at least in part of a wear resistant, non-metallic material.
 24. A nozzle as in claim 23, wherein said non-metallic parts of said side walls are detachably and reattachably fixed to said side walls.
 25. A nozzle as in claim 23, wherein said non-metallic parts of said side walls are formed of a wear resistant plastic material. 